Thanks again for the lovely comments! Loving exploring the Reddie relationship and hopefully giving us the ending we all so wanted all those years ago x

He had thought of everything and that surprised her somewhat. Every question, doubt or protest she threw in his direction, he dodged expertly. Some would argue that his ability to second guess what she intended to say before the words left her meant that he knew her better than she knew herself. And she would be forced to concede that they would almost certainly be right.

Rachel learnt many things about Eddie that night. Things she had long suspected and things that she had, in her heart, always known to be true of him. He had been thoughtful, measured and calm in the way he had approached and tackled her uncertainties. There was definitely the element of impulsiveness in his actions and she saw this as both an endearing yet frustrating trait of his character. It was hard for her not to ponder over the situations it had landed them in before. She knew the foundations of his relationship with Melissa had been formed on impusle - he hadn't wanted to be alone anymore and she, more than anyone, could understand that. However, how could she land blame for that at his door? It was not as if she had offered him much choice. Perhaps if she had not so forcefully rejected him the first time he had told her how he felt then he would not have acted in such a way. Perhaps then they would not be forced to sift through the painful fragments of their dying relationship, trying desperately to find a way through the wreckage.

He knew he had won. When she yawned loudly and made no attempts to disguise how tired she suddenly felt, her fingers gently massaging the puffiness around her eyes, she offered a nod in his direction. That was all that was needed. A simple action enough to confirm that she admitted defeat and wanted to let him go about as much as he wanted to let her go. As in not at all. Not that afternoon. Not as they sat in her living room as time edged closer and closer to the witching hour. Not in the morning when they had both come to their senses. Not ever.

"You sure?" he questioned, seeking confirmation although he did not really need it.

Her reply was not instantly forthcoming but her mouth twitched at the corners and her eyes opened to meet his. "No, course I'm not sure. It is probably a very terrible idea to try and find a way back for us."

"But?"

"What do you mean 'but'?" She offered a smile and a playful tone edged her retort.

"Well there is usually a 'but' with you, Rach. You know, when you try to make out something is a good or bad idea and then, to re-address the balance, you always give the counter argument."

Pretending to be wounded by his words, she picked up her blanket and swiped him with it in protest. "I can't believe you would accuse me of that! One of us needs to take a balanced view of things, Eddie! I am prepared to concede defeat on this one because the counter argument is the winning one this time. Now, if you'll let me finish."

Eddie rolled his eyes in mock despair before mumbling something under his breath and motioning for her to continue.

"Thank you. As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, no, of course I'm not sure. It is probably a very terrible idea to try and find a way back for us. But everything you've said over the last few hours makes sense and I want to try. I want to see if there is a way back for us."